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“Those poor customers,” I laughed, shaking my head. We continued to chat, but neither of us broached our “non-date” as we walked on.
Once we arrived at Casa D’Oliva, a friendly hostess seated us at a cozy corner table. The warm glow of the candles flickered against the dark wood, and a talented guitar player strummed soft music in the background, creating a wonderfully intimate atmosphere.
As the evening progressed, we discovered more commonalities than we’d imagined. Our shared love for old movies, our distaste for pickles, and even our mutual fear of spiders all surfaced throughout our conversations. It felt as if we were uncovering layers of each other, revealing pieces of ourselves that had been hidden away.
“Wow, who would’ve thought we had so much in common?” Max mused as he sipped his wine.
“Life is full of surprises,” I replied, the candlelight reflecting off my wine glass and casting a warm glow on our table. And as we continued to talk and laugh into the night, I thought this was one surprise I wouldn’t mind embracing.
Just as I was about to share another story, the atmosphere between us changed. Max’s gaze deepened, and there was a vibrant intensity in his eyes that I hadn’t seen before. Tentatively, he reached out, fingers brushing against mine before enveloping my hand in his. His thumb, slightly rough and calloused, rubbed over the smooth skin on the back of my hand. The gentle friction warmed me from the inside out, leaving a tingling trail of goosebumps in its wake.
The room felt warmer, and the sounds around us seemed to silence, leaving just the two of us in our bubble. “Your laughter is infectious, Mia,” he murmured, his voice rich and low, full of emotions he dared not voice. “I can’t remember the last time I felt this... relaxed.”
“Neither can I,” I admitted, my heart fluttering in my chest. Our eyes locked, and for a moment, everything else faded away. It was just Max and me, alone in our own little world.
As the night drew close, we reluctantly left the restaurant, the air thick with unsaid words, as we walked back home. We lingered at the doorstep, both hesitant to end the evening.
“Thank you for tonight, Max,” I said finally, a shy smile playing on my lips. “It was... unexpected, but lovely.”
“Anytime, Mia,” Max replied softly, his eyes filled with warmth. As he unlocked the front door, I pondered the nature of our budding relationship. He ushered me into the house before him with a gallant sweep of his arm. I wondered about the direction of this moment. But before I knew it, he wished me goodnight and disappeared upstairs, closing his bedroom door behind him.
What had started as a simple dinner had turned into something magical, leaving me excited for whatever lay ahead.
Chapter 9
Thesunstreamedthroughthe windows as I walked into the kitchen. Max was preparing breakfast, his broad shoulders moving easily and gracefully as he flipped pancakes on the stove. I could feel my heart flutter just fractionally.
“Morning, Mia,” Max greeted me with a warm smile. “That’s a beautiful dress.”
I felt the heat rise in my cheeks, and I quickly looked away to hide my blush. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Lucy and Logan exchange knowing glances at each other. I couldn’t help but feel a little self-conscious under their scrutiny.
I thanked Max, attempting to sound casual, and in my uncertainty, I found myself changing my outfit multiple times. After a moment of hesitation, I settled on the cute floral dress that I had on. “It’s such a beautiful day outside,” I remarked my voice light and filled with the excitement of the weather. “I thought I’d wear something light and, um... floaty?”
“Great choice,” Max said with a smile, serving up a stack of pancakes onto a plate.
Later, while we were all in the living room, Lucy and Logan played an energetic game of tag. Their laughter filled the air, and I couldn’t help but join in, cheering them on from the sidelines. My eyes met Max’s momentarily, and I felt a warmth spreading through me.
As Logan dashed around the room, he “accidentally” nudged a vase of fresh flowers, sending it teetering towards me. Instinctively, I jumped forward to catch it and collided gently with Max. We both chuckled at the faux accident, but I caught Logan giving a cheeky wink to Lucy as they continued their game.
“Kids, huh?” Max said, steadying me with one firm hand on my shoulder.
“Keeps life interesting,” I agreed, my heart beating a little faster than usual.
At that moment, I felt sure that something was changing between Max and me.
“Alright, kids, time to wind down a bit,” Max announced, guiding Lucy and Logan towards the couch. As we all settled in, Lucy scooted closer to me, her eyes wide with exaggerated innocence.
The little girl looked up at me and softly asked, “Hey, Miss Mia? Do you think true love exists?”
“Sure do,” I answered, my lips widening into a warm smile. “Love can be absolutely beautiful.”
“Have you ever been in love before?” she continued, glancing at her father’s study, where Max had momentarily disappeared.
“Um, well...” I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. “I’ve cared deeply for people before, but I’m unsure if it was truly love.”
“Interesting,” Lucy mused, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
The next morning at breakfast, Logan curiously questioned Max while I set the table. “Dad, don’t you think Mia has the prettiest eyes? Kinda like that actress you like? Scarlett Johansson?”
